More Than a Warning: Eight Serious Fines Imposed in Thai Data Protection Cases
Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) announced to the press on August 1, 2025, that it had issued eight new administrative fines under Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) (PDPA) in five cases of noncompliance by public and private entities. The enforcement actions reflect a growing commitment by the PDPC to penalize noncompliance […]
Thailand Launches Initiative Supporting Digital Asset Use in Tourism
On August 18, 2025, Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, announced the launch of TouristDigiPay. The initiative, implemented under the SEC’s Regulatory Sandbox, allows foreign tourists to convert digital assets into Thai baht for use in everyday […]
HOW AN AUSTRALIAN DATA PRIVACY CASE SIGNALS STRICT LIMITS ON FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY USE IN THAILAND.
A landmark ruling against Australia’s hardware store “Bunnings” for the unlawful use of facial recognition technology (FRT) serves as a wake-up call for Thai businesses. The November 2024 decision by Australia’s Privacy Commissioner – finding mass biometric collection without consent, transparency, or proportionality illegal – directly parallels Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) requirements. With Thai […]
Thailand Increases Unemployment Benefits
On June 27, 2025, Thailand issued the new Ministerial Regulation Prescribing the Criteria and Rates for Receiving Unemployment Benefits (No. 2) B.E. 2568 (2025), which amended a similarly named ministerial regulation by boosting the rate of social security benefits to alleviate hardships for employees who are terminated. The new ministerial regulation took effect the following […]
Thai Court Accepts Case with Implications for OTT Television Services
On June 10, 2025, Thailand’s Supreme Administrative Court accepted for consideration a pivotal lawsuit concerning the regulatory obligations of administrative agencies over internet-based television broadcasting services, commonly referred to as over-the-top (OTT) services. This court’s decision in the case may set important precedents for how OTT platforms are regulated, especially regarding consumer protections and advertising […]
Thai Supreme Court Shuts Door on Long-Term Lease Loopholes: Foreign Property Investors Face New Reality
Thailand’s attraction for foreign residents and investors often centres on lifestyle and opportunity. However, navigating property ownership remains a significant hurdle due to strict legal prohibitions on foreign land ownership, except for specific exceptions, such as BOI-promoted projects or designated industrial zones (IEAT). For decades, long-term leases structured with renewal options (often referred to as […]
Thai FDA Partners with E-commerce Platforms to Regulate Health Products Online
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a strategic collaboration with leading e-commerce platforms Lazada and Shopee to strengthen regulatory oversight of health-related products sold online. This partnership is part of a broader initiative to enhance consumer protection, enforce compliance with Thai health regulations, and foster a safer digital marketplace for health products. As […]
Thailand to Step Up Enforcement of Royal Decree on Digital Platform Services
Thailand’s Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) has announced plans for increased enforcement of the Royal Decree on the Operation of Digital Platform Service Businesses That Are Subject to Prior Notification B.E. 2565 (2022). The ETDA outlined a comprehensive enforcement framework and review process during an online meeting with digital platform service operators on June 11, […]
Nominee Trap: Legal Risks and Licensing under Thailand’s Foreign Business Act
While Thailand’s Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) (FBA) has been in place for over two decades, the issue of nominee arrangements remains a hot topic—especially as authorities continue to crack down on businesses that use Thai nationals to hold shares in violation of foreign ownership restrictions under the FBA. The FBA was enacted to […]
Thailand Resumes Development of AI Regulatory Framework
Thailand’s Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) held an explanatory session on the draft principles and regulatory approaches of the country’s planned artificial intelligence (AI) law on May 2, 2025. This came after a lull of two years following the initial release of draft legislation on AI. In the session, the ETDA explained that the earlier drafts […]
